More North West Queensland residents will be able to receive treatment in their communities as new satellite supported haemodialysis units gradually expand.

The first phase of the North West Hospital and Health Service (North West HHS) renal expansion project was completed this week when the Mornington Island Hospital and Doomadgee Hospital supported satellite dialysis chairs became operational allowing eight people to return to country for supported dialysis.

Two chairs became operational at each facility, along with two chairs the Cloncurry satellite dialysis unit coming online mid-year.

Despite project setbacks including COVID-19 and disruptions to infrastructure upgrades, North West HHS acting Chief Executive Sean Birgan said he was extremely pleased to see the project nearing completion.

“It has been a challenging few years for this project, but there has been tremendous dedication from our staff and a number of stakeholders to ensure the project continued,” Mr Birgan said.

“It is incredibly important that our patients receive the best care possible, as close to home as possible, and this is now achievable with these new satellite dialysis units in Doomadgee, Mornington Island and Cloncurry.”

Mr Birgan said the Doomadgee and Mornington Island haemodialysis units are currently housed in temporary locations within each health service, with construction of permanent units due for completion in late 2023, allowing for more chairs in each location.

“In the final phase the chairs will increase to four chairs in Doomadgee and six chairs on Mornington Island under a hybrid service delivery with the chairs shared between those patients who can independently dialyse and those who require clinical support from specialist dialysis nurses.”